Rosewood Abbey (Text Only)
A downloadable Tabletop RPG
Physical copies Pre-order
If you want a physical copy of the game, you can pre-order it NOW via The Rolistes store.
Do not wait and take advantage our time-limited the 30% discount!
($21 instead of $30)
Shipping of physical copies are expected to start in June 2024.
Overview
Rosewood Abbey is a roleplaying game about upholding the truth no matter the consequences.
It is inspired by Umberto Eco’s novel The Name of the Rose, its 1986 film adaptation, and the British mystery television series Cadfael.
This Carved from Brindlewood (PbtA) game is for 3 to 6 players. It works well for one-shots but truly shines for short campaigns, thanks to its unique "Rumor Mill" story-building mechanism.
The Fratres Herodoti comprise an informal brotherhood of scholars who swore an oath to knowledge and truth. The mysteries these Friars, the player characters, investigate are often mundane and unrelated to one another.
Nonetheless, at the Abbazia di Palissandro, Rosewood Abbey, other monks, and their flock are prone to interpret situations as either the work of God or that of maleficent spirits. As rumors spread out of proportion, the papacy becomes compelled to settle the veracity of alleged miracles or heresies.
Will the Friars uphold their oath?
Carved from Brindlewood
"Carved from Brindlewood" means that the game is directly adapted from the roleplaying game Brindlewood Bay with the blessing of the author, Jason Cordova.
Content Warning
Rosewood Abbey has roots in Walloon, Flemish, and European folklore, which is often irreverent towards religion. The world-renowned paintings by Hieronymus Bosch offer an excellent sample of this spirit. This game engages with images of the Catholic Church and God, as well as actions Christians consider to be sinful or virtuous. These actions can include crimes, blasphemy, intimate and sexual acts, and violence and murder. Play only with explicit consent from all participants regarding themes they are willing to engage with, or not—see the Collaboration Sheet included in the game’s Handouts section. Use of common safety tools, such as the X-Card or Lines & Veils, is recommended. While in continuation of the tradition paillarde, European bawdy folkloric tales and songs, this game isn’t intended as a commentary on contemporary religious beliefs and practices. Rosewood Abbey is not a statement about divine interventions in our own world (nervous laugh).
Mysteries
This updated text features three mysteries.
- The Rose in the Garden (expanded)
- Mocking Grotesquery by Sean F Smith
- Fugit Inreparabile Tempus
Character Keeper
A Gdoc Character Keeper is available here (updated on 26/12/2023).
Please make a copy before using it.
Price
The current price reflects the game's current level of development. It will be raised once a fully laid-out version with art is available. Owners of the current version will get the updated version at no extra cost.
Updated | 25 days ago |
Status | Prototype |
Category | Physical game |
Rating | Rated 4.4 out of 5 stars (7 total ratings) |
Author | Kalum from The Rolistes |
Tags | brindlewood-bay, carved-from-brindlewood, investigation, monastery, monks, PbtA, Tabletop role-playing game |
Purchase
In order to download this Tabletop RPG you must purchase it at or above the minimum price of $5 USD. You will get access to the following files:
Community Copies
Support this Tabletop RPG at or above a special price point to receive something exclusive.
Community Copies
I'm thankful for the generosity of fellow TTRPG designers who offer community copies of their creations. I'm glad to contribute too in a similar way. Feel free to grab one of these free copies of the "Rosewood Abbey" playtest rules, if you're going through a difficult time.
Nothing will make me happier than helping you forget about your worries for a couple of hours thanks to my game.
<3
Development log
- Start of layout work29 days ago
- Finalised text + Print pre-order 30% discount30 days ago
- Welcome to our editor + dust jacket sneak peek89 days ago
- Merry Xmas_Fixed Gdoc Rumor Mill SheetDec 26, 2023
- Come for the major update, stay for the Routine Almanac!Sep 11, 2023
- Poll for cover + Videos of ongoing playtestsMar 18, 2023
- Report from the 2nd playtest sessionJan 19, 2023
- Updated Playtest Rules and Reference SheetDec 14, 2022